machetes,, regional styles..

[Pukka Bundook]

Billman,

Re the newer and older Elwell bills;

We had a newer one, clumsy thing it was. Gave it away when we came to Canada. The old ones came with us!!
One of the old ones was very light, good even for a lot of slasher work.
A short bill sits beside the stove in the workshop, used for splitting kindling...
It was made in 1915, I believe.

[mrwizard]

Interesting thread...
Here is a regional billhook from the area where i live.
It is called "Haubergsknipp" or just "Knipp".

It is used in a traditional kind of woodland management called "Hauberg" for clearing out the underbrush and removing small twigs. The bill was used to scarify the bark of the trees so it could be peeled. The bark was harvested as tanning agent. The wood was used to make charcoal.

http://www.hauberg.onlinehome.de/de/jahreslauf.html
Sadly, i couldn't find any english language description decription

The depicted specimen is roughly 100 years old and has been used for at least 70 years.

Best Regards
Thilo

[fearn]

Hi Mrwizard,

I think the English term may be coppicing (Wikipedia link). The use of oak bark for tanning is quite old, of course.

Best,

F

[mrwizard]

Thanks Fearn,
"coppicing" is indeed the correct term. :-)